External Links

3 May 2009: Commercial Suborbital Research Workshop II

The Commercial Spaceflight Federation, the Universities Space Research
Association, and NASA sponsored the second Commercial
Suborbital Science Workshop, which focused on biological sciences and
aeromedical research, at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in
Los Angeles, California on Sunday, May 3, 2009. This event was held
in conjunction with the Aerospace Medical Association's Annual Meeting.

Vehicles
under development by commercial suborbital companies, such as
Virgin Galactic, Armadillo Aerospace, Blue Origin, Masten Space
Systems, and XCOR Aerospace, will allow unprecedented access to the
space environment. The unique ability to carry biological payloads, and eventually human researchers, in a shirtsleeve environment will enable new
research in aerospace medicine and other life sciences, including
neuro-vestibular research, sensorimotor adaptation, and acute cellular
responses. Rapid turnaround and fly on demand capabilities will create
new opportunities at a lower cost than many existing methods of
research. In addition, these new vehicles can offer an affordable
platform for risk reduction and flight qualification of experimental
hardware.

The purpose of this workshop was to bring interested
researchers together with suborbital vehicle developers to begin to
understand the potential of these vehicles by engaging in small group
discussions and exchanging technical information. Attendees had the
opportunity to learn about the options offered by a wide range of
commercial suborbital service providers and discuss the capabilities,
needs, constraints, and opportunities of this program. Equally
important, commercial suborbital service providers will have the
opportunity to receive input on how their vehicles can be made to best
be of service to your research community.Click to view Workshop ReportClick to view Workshop Presentations